Hey Raha blog · Abu Dhabi school life
Aldar Academies term dates 2026-27
Aldar Academies start the 2026-27 year on Monday 31 August 2026. Half-term is Monday 12 to Friday 16 October, Term 1 ends on Friday 11 December, winter holiday runs from 14 December to 1 January, Term 2 runs 4 January to 2 April, spring break is 5 to 9 April, and the year ends on Friday 2 July 2027. These are the dates Aldar Academies publishes for its schools in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain.
Last updated: 11 October 2026
Aldar's dates line up with the UAE unified calendar, but each academy can add its own staff days and events. Check your academy's calendar and emails for anything specific to your child's school.
Aldar Academies 2026-27 at a glance
| What | Dates |
|---|---|
| First day of Term 1 (all students) | Monday 31 August 2026 |
| Half-term (Term 1) | Monday 12 to Friday 16 October 2026 |
| Back to school | Monday 19 October 2026 |
| Commemoration Day and National Day | Wednesday 2 to Friday 4 December 2026 |
| End of Term 1 | Friday 11 December 2026 |
| Winter holiday | Monday 14 December 2026 to Friday 1 January 2027 |
| First day of Term 2 | Monday 4 January 2027 |
| Eid Al Fitr (expected) | Monday 8 to Friday 12 March 2027 |
| End of Term 2 | Friday 2 April 2027 |
| Spring break | Monday 5 to Friday 9 April 2027 |
| First day of Term 3 | Monday 12 April 2027 |
| Arafah and Eid Al Adha (expected) | Saturday 15 to Tuesday 18 May 2027 |
| Islamic New Year (expected) | Sunday 6 June 2027 |
| End of the academic year | Friday 2 July 2027 |
Islamic holidays depend on the moon sighting and may move by a day or two.
Good to know
- Abu Dhabi schools are regulated by ADEK, not KHDA. If you've moved from Dubai, the calendar is very similar this year, but rules on things like attendance and fees follow ADEK.
- No February half-term appears in Aldar's published dates, so Term 2 is a long stretch from January to the start of April, with the Eid break in March.
- Ramadan timings. Expect shorter school days during Ramadan. Your academy will email the timings nearer the time.
What to sort before half-term
- Check the last day's finish time and any non-uniform or celebration day.
- Clear the bag: PE kit, water bottle, reading books.
- Tell your nanny or helper which days the children are home and when school restarts.
- Book clubs and camps early, as Abu Dhabi half-term camps fill up.
- Ask about holiday homework before the last day, not on the Sunday night.
- Get the first morning back ready: uniform, kit, and the bus or drop-off time.
Holiday changes, early finishes and training days usually arrive by school email. Hey Raha reads your school emails and sends you and your helper one clear daily WhatsApp plan. Try Hey Raha free for 14 days.
Frequently asked questions
When is Aldar Academies half-term in October 2026?
Monday 12 to Friday 16 October 2026, with students back on Monday 19 October.
When is the Aldar Academies winter holiday?
Term 1 ends on Friday 11 December 2026. The winter holiday runs from Monday 14 December to Friday 1 January 2027, and Term 2 starts on Monday 4 January.
When does the 2026-27 year end at Aldar Academies?
Friday 2 July 2027.
Are the Eid dates final?
No. Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha depend on the moon sighting, so the dates are expected and may shift slightly. Your academy will confirm them.
A little help from Hey Raha
Even with a tidy calendar, the small stuff arrives later: a staff day, a celebration day, Ramadan timings. Raha reads your school emails, read-only, and when a date changes she updates your daily WhatsApp plan, and sends your nanny her own version too. 14 days free, no card needed, then AED 39 a month or AED 299 a year.
Start freeMarie, founder of Hey Raha
Related: Abu Dhabi school term dates 2026-27 · Dubai school holidays 2026-27 · GEMS term dates · Taaleem term dates · Ramadan school timings
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